Stormwatch (1979) is an album by the progressive rock group Jethro Tull and is considered the last in the trilogy of folk-rock albums by Jethro Tull (although folk music influenced virtually every Tull album).
The album deals with the deterioration of the environment, warning of an apocalyptic future if mankind does not cease its drive for economic growth and pay attention to nature.
In 2004, a remastered version of Stormwatch was released with four bonus tracks.
This is the last Tull album to feature the classic line-up of 1970s. Bassist John Glascock is only featured on three tracks ("Flying Dutchman", "Orion", and "Elegy"). Ian Anderson played bass elsewhere on the album.
The instrumental piece "Elegy" was written by David Palmer.
Track listing
All songs composed by Ian Anderson except where noted.
1. "North Sea Oil" – 3:12
2. "Orion" – 3:58
3. "Home" – 2:46
4. "Dark Ages" – 9:13
5. "Warm Sporran" – 3:33
6. "Something's on the Move" – 4:27
7. "Old Ghosts" – 4:23
8. "Dun Ringill" – 2:41
9. "Flying Dutchman" – 7:46
10. "Elegy" (David Palmer)– 3:38
Bonus tracks:
The remastered CD added bonus tracks (which had been on the 20 Years of Jethro Tull box-set) and extensive liner notes:
11. "A Stitch in Time" – 3:40
12. "Crossword" – 3:38
13. "Kelpie" – 3:47
14. "King Henry's Madrigal" (Traditional)– 3:01
Personnel
* Ian Anderson – Vocals, Flute, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar (except tracks 2, 9, 10).
* Martin Barre – Electric Guitar, Mandolin, and Classical Guitar
* Barriemore Barlow – Drums, Percussion
* John Evan – Piano, Organ
* David Palmer – Synthesizers, Portable Organ and Orchestral Arrangements
* John Glascock – Bass Guitar on tracks 2, 9, 10.
Also featuring:
* Francis Wilson – Spoken Voice on track 8.
Content
Dun Ringill is the historic site of an Iron Age fort on the Isle of Skye, which served as the original seat of the Clan MacKinnon. Anderson once owned and lived in nearby Kilmarie House, until he sold the estate in 1994. A sporran is a type of pouch traditionally worn with a kilt.
Other tracks allude to the constellation of Orion and the legend of the Flying Dutchman.
It is sometimes rumored that "Elegy" was a homage to John Glascock — who was very ill at the time due to a congenital heart defect, and would die shortly after the album's release. Actually, it is an elegy to David Palmer's father and is one of the few tracks on which Glascock plays. .